Exit: Kahn Fotuali'i
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Samoa scrum-half Kahn Fotuali'i is to leave the Ospreys after signing for Aviva Premiership side Northampton.
Fotuali'i joined the Ospreys following the 2011 Rugby World Cup and has made a substantial impact in the region, putting in a string of impressive performances that have caught the eye of clubs both in England and France.
The 30-year-old scrum-half, capped 13 times by Samoa, has won rave reviews for his recent performances in the Heineken Cup and is regarded by many commentators to be the best player in his position in world rugby.
The 6ft, 94kg Fotuali'i joins the Saints from the Ospreys. In his two seasons at the Liberty Stadium he has played 39 times, including in the PRO12 final success over Leinster and earning the man of the match award in the recent Heineken Cup game against Leicester.
Born in Auckland, Fotuali'i had been tipped for full All Blacks honours after making his mark in Super Rugby for the Crusaders, for whom he played 28 times. Instead Fotuali'i chose to represent Samoa, and after a man of the match performance in his 2010 debut he went on to play in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Fotuali'i has experience of playing both 9 and 10 at international and provincial level.
"Kahn is a player who has attracted a lot of positive headlines and attention throughout his career," said director of rugby Jim Mallinder.
"He has a superb set of skills and is a powerful and dynamic runner who will add to our options in one of the team's crucial positions.
"We're delighted that he has chosen to sign a long-term contract to play his rugby at Franklin's Gardens, and we're looking forward to welcoming him to the club in the summer."
Comments
jmanngod says...
@ Ruckman7. Actually the Pisi's are Samoan, whereas Kahn Fotuali'' is a New Zealander who just plays for another country (fairly common.. you may have a few yourself in your team)(
Posted 19:08 24th January 2013
Jediboy says...
bullitt - well said!!
Posted 17:51 24th January 2013
melkdave says...
Wow fantastic signing for Saints ,he will definatly bring alot of options to the Saints attack.and is competion for Dickson,and have to agree with @Lawynd if G,Ford joins Saints from Leicester as some rumours say .They will make a very potent combination
Posted 17:22 24th January 2013
Jediboy says...
Lawynd - I agree but can't see that happening I'm afraid.
Dan Carter would be a good buy! :)
Posted 17:12 24th January 2013
NHsaints says...
Nobody has confirmed he will play 10 yet, he was signed as a 9 and will most likely play 9 (I'm praying we get rid of lamb and have someone good replace him, if it's him then good luck to him). If he does play 10 then good luck to him and I hope he can ignite a bit of a stagnant saints backline. Saints problem has for 5-6 years now been the 9-10-12 link and I genuinely think Mallinder has signed Kahn the one of those 3 positions in which we already had the greatest strength...but to be fair if Waldouck hits some form and Kahn is playing 10 then we really would suddenly look like having a top quality backline. I've been saying for ages Mallinder needed some big signings well he's delivered. Now it's just a matter of building and bonding the new lads and the old and igniting that backline with our new players and coach.
Posted 16:54 24th January 2013
bullitt says...
Maybe to get away the from one-eyed taffs, Dafydd?
Posted 16:46 24th January 2013
Dafydd29 says...
What a waste of a fab #9!. He's not a dirty player so why would he want to join that lot??
Posted 16:00 24th January 2013
lawynd says...
As much as it pains me to say it, Saints should look into bringing in George Ford if he's going to leave Leicester. He'd work exceptionally well with Fotuali'i one side and Pisi the other.
Posted 15:21 24th January 2013
KoolJay says...
excellent signing for saints...hopefully this begins a restructure in their backline and eventually deliver the goods....totally agree with pierredelot1, saints still need a good 10 and get rid of the lame ducks..
Posted 15:06 24th January 2013
ruck_man7 says...
He joins fellow countrymen..the Pisi brothers.
Great loss for Ospreys thou..Kahn is a world class player!
Genia like instincts!
Posted 14:56 24th January 2013
Jediboy says...
As a Saints fan this is music to my ears. He is a class player and this is great news. I remember watching him in S15 and have always been impressed.
Great signing.
Posted 14:31 24th January 2013
pierredelot1 says...
Thats a great signing for Saints, but they still are carrying a couple of lame ducks at 10. Mallinder really needs to sort out his back line and this would really get things started.
Posted 13:54 24th January 2013
ollieosprey says...
pissed
Posted 13:50 24th January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Totally disagree Froshcmann. Think it is brilliant signing. He may well play 9. Either way an excellent player capable of being Saints best 10 or 9. And full respect that he chose Samoa above ABs. Huge loss for Ospreys! Here's betting Ospreys and Saints will end up in same HC pool next year.
Posted 13:31 24th January 2013
lawynd says...
Nowhere does it say he's going to be playing at 10, only that he's capable. I'm of course happy to hold my hands up if that is what happens, but there's every chance that this is competition for Dickson; most top teams have two good scrum halves.
Posted 13:08 24th January 2013
makemehappy says...
Huge loss for the Ospreys (yip another one). Ignore the 9/10 comment - he came in that capacity to the Ospreys, but always played at 9.
Posted 13:05 24th January 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
I've found myself giving Saints a fair bit of flak for the majority of this season. But I'm pleased to say that this would will be an impressive signing if Saints pull it off.
As far as "Reports in the French press indicated that Northampton had opened up the possibility of Fotuali'i playing at fly-half" go, we got reports, indications, possibilies and ... The French." Let me know when you have facts please.
Posted 12:36 24th January 2013
bullitt says...
With some luck, it's Myler on the move.
Posted 12:02 24th January 2013
Frooschman says...
This is stupid. Why take one of the best 9s in the NH and shoe horn him into the 10 shirt just because your incumbents suck? Surely the right answer is to go out and bid a 10! Meanwhile might I highlight that if Claasens leaves for Toulon the might, mighty Bath would have a vacancy! Ahem, Messrs Booth et Gold!
Posted 11:58 24th January 2013